Agrecovery is constantly reviewing how we can continue to deliver an effective and efficient programme for our members. Over recent years, we have worked hard to establish a network of over 160 fixed collection sites nationwide, meaning it’s now easier than ever for you to recycle your triple-rinsed agrichemical containers. As a result, Agrecovery will be increasing the minimum volume requirement for on-property container collection from 300 containers to 500 containers. This change will take effect from 1 October 2022. If you currently have a minimum of 300 containers (0-60 litres in size) and you would like to book an on-property collection for this volume, please ring Agrecovery on 0800 247 326 before 1 October to arrange collection.* A reminder that all ...
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Agrecovery, the not-for-profit charitable trust that provides New Zealand farmers and growers with nationwide programmes for the disposal of unwanted agrichemicals, and the recycling of plastic containers, is celebrating 15 years of operation. Back in 2005, both users and suppliers of agrichemicals recognised the need to provide stewardship for used agrichemical containers, culminating in the formation of the Agrecovery Foundation and the subsequent launch of the first container recycling programme in mid-2007. Since its inception, Agrecovery have recycled nearly 3.5 million kg of plastic containers and over 165 thousand kg of expired or unwanted agrichemicals have been recovered from the rural environment. Results achieved by growing their footprint from a few small recycling locations to over 160 fixed sites nationwide. ...
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Hawke’s Bay farmers and growers are proving that they are good stewards of the land by bringing in massive quantities of plastic for recycling through the rural recycling programme, Agrecovery, this summer. Since mid-December, the programme collected 12.5 tonnes of plastic from the region in just two and a half months. “This is proof of the local rural community’s commitment to the environment,” says Agrecovery’s General Manager, Tony Wilson. The plastic was collected from five Agrecovery sites in the region before going to the Bin Hire Hub in Hastings for processing. “Contractors were working through the day and night to shred the containers so that they could package and send them to our recycler in Auckland,” says Agrecovery Operations Advisor Felicity ...
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The Agrecovery Foundation has issued its Annual Report for 2019-2020.
The 2019-2020 financial year was one of growth, consolidation and change.
Most notably was the disruption that the Covid-19 pandemic caused to our operations, recycling results and ways of working and travelling. Despite this, we have some exciting initiatives in the pipeline that will see our programme grow and expand. One, I am particularly excited about, is finding a sustainable and enduring system for recycling seed, feed and fertiliser bags and teat seal intra-mammary tubes. The government signalling of regulated product stewardship for agrichemicals and farm plastics will further grow our programme.
The key item to address is ensuring that there are sustainable end uses for all the plastic we aim to ...
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Agrecovery’s new General Manager, Tony Wilson, wants all farm waste recycled, reused, or repurposed in his quest to build upon the legacy that his predecessor, Simon Andrew, left behind. “First and foremost, I want to follow the trajectory that the not-for-profit recycling scheme has already achieved,” he says, adding that he’s “not here to reinvent the wheel, but we will utilise our local and global networks to make our programme an even better one”. “I’m proud to be leading New Zealand’s peak rural recycling scheme for agrichemical containers and drums. As one of the rural sector’s first voluntary recycling initiatives, it will soon be one of the first regulated product stewardship schemes in the rural sector,” says Wilson. “I want ...
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Agricultural plastics, such as the bags used for fertiliser, seed, and feed, as well as netting, silage wrap and twine, are next in line for an end-of-life makeover. An innovative project seeking to improve environmental outcomes has received government support for repurposing this plastic for farmers and growers. Finding the best sustainable solutions for these plastics is at the core of the project run by rural recycling programme Agrecovery. The Ministry of the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) is contributing $178,200 to the total project budget of $196,346. This funding was approved by Eugenie Sage, Associate Minister for the Environment so that Agrecovery can sustainably divert more farm plastics away from harmful disposal practices. The project will see the rural ...
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The public opinion on the challenge of waste has fixated on everyday consumer items like single use plastic bags, coffee cups and straws. As an agricultural nation, New Zealand needs to extend its eye-view to the wider waste issues faced by our vibrant primary industries – reputed as the world’s food basket. At no other time has it been more important to address plastic waste issues. Covid-19 has led to increased plastic consumption and has further exposed vulnerabilities in the global waste system. At the same time, it has highlighted the importance of our primary industries as the sustainable supplier of high-value, quality food – which is now helping to support our financial recovery. Recycling is part of the tapestry of being an ...
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Rural recycling has seen unprecedented gains, with rates soaring to 43 percent above last year’s figures. The programme responsible for these results supports government proposals to rethink plastics but says there is an urgent need for local recycling solutions to generate greater recycling rates for a wider selection of rural plastics. If a wider variety of plastic can be recycled, less plastic waste will build up in rural areas and fewer harmful practices, such as burning and burying, will be deployed to dispose of it. This will benefit our environment and our wildlife. To help clear waste from farms, Agrecovery recycles agrichemical containers and drums so that they can be made into underground cable covers and building materials right here ...
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We are seeing real growth in our recycling programme, reflected in the record volumes of plastic we collected in the last year.
As New Zealand’s peak rural recycling programme, we are proud of the results we achieve by working with our partners. This year's collection rates are up 43% from the year before and means that we are now recycling more than half of all containers sold.
Adrienne Wilcock, Agrecovery Chair
ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019
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Farmers and growers are proving their worth as good stewards of the land, by achieving record-breaking volumes of plastic recycling through the rural recycling programme, Agrecovery. The past year has seen a 43 percent increase in rural plastic coming back for recycling at Agrecovery’s sites, events and via on-farm pick-ups. The staggering 437 tonnes of plastic containers collected over the past year is now being given new life. “This is a massive leap from the 320 tonnes collected the previous year,” says Agrecovery General Manager Simon Andrew. “The figures show that we are now recycling more than half of the agrichemical containers and drum plastic sold in the New Zealand market,” he says. Those manufacturers who participate in the programme ...
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